Gari
Categories: Sushi Bars, Japanese [Edit]
Neighborhood: Manhattan/Upper West Side370 Columbus Ave
New York, NY 10023 (212) 362-4816
- Nearest Transit:
81st St (B, C)
79th St (1)
72nd St (1, 2, 3)
- Price Range: $$$$
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Attire: Casual
- Good for Groups: No
- Good for Kids: Yes
- Takes Reservations: Yes
- Delivers: No
- Take-out: Yes
- Waiter Service: Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
- Outdoor Seating: No
- Alcohol: Full Bar
19 Reviews for Gari
Had the omakase here. No doubt some of the best sushi in NYC. Great unique dishes with very fresh ingredients. Lots of entrees that made you go 'wow', things you've probably never tried before. Every piece feels special, like it was well thought out and prepared.
Service was attentive. Decor was simple and elegant, very fitting for this type of place. Nothing glitzy or pretentious. Prices are very reasonable compared to its 'class' of Japanese restaurants (Nobu, Masa, etc.). Had a filling meal for under $100/person doing omakase + some extra pieces (essentially 1.5 omakases), not something you can do at most the other 'hot' NYC spots.
Definitely worth giving this place a shot if you haven't been. Great for sushi lovers.
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Cool (1)
I ate at Gari a couple of months ago. It was an enjoyable experience. The sushi was definitely high quality. Yet, the value just wasn't there. I'm not a bargain hunter when it comes to raw fish. However, Gari's pricing is a bit unjustified. I've had similar quality sushi for a lot less coin in NYC.
There are better choices one block down on Amsterdam
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (1)
So this past Sunday I took my first venture to the Upper West Side. I had heard that you had to have either a dog or a baby to be up there. I found that was basically the case yet I had neither.
Anyway, my boyfriend and I were just looking for a place to eat that I could go into with sneakers and a baseball hat on. We were in the mood for sushi when we stumbled upon Gari. We saw the menu and wanted to go in yet couldn't find the door! I think we walked back and forth in front of the window about 4 times. I have to say I was a bit embarrassed walking in there.
We surprisingly enough didn't order sushi. We had the edamame, the lamb and the lime shrimp to split as appetizers. The shrimp was great. It had a Mexican kick to it which was pretty interesting in a Japanese restaurant.
We split the tempura as an entree. I had no idea what tempura was until my boyfriend filled me in that it's basically fried food. Now I am a huge proponent of all things fried. It was good but I honestly started pulling the fried stuff off the veggies. I think it's the only way to make vegetables unhealthy.
Overall, the food was good and I had a good time. The decor and atmosphere leaves a bit to be desired though.
Oh, and I saw another group of people walking in front of the window looking for the door....it made me feel a little better :)
This is the ONLY restaurant that will get my husband uptown. So, even though I have a wheat allergy and therefore sushi places are like a minefield for me (soy sauce has concentrated wheat in it) I go here if I'm already uptown and it's late and it will be easier to have him meet me there.
The sushi/sashimi is great because Gari has a special touch and does it like no one else. AND you don't need soy sauce for his pieces because there's a little gem of a garnish on top that makes the fish pop.
They have a great Hill of Content Pino Noir and the West Side location is WAAAYYY better than the east side location in terms of decor and patrons.
Usually, our main complaint is the slow, spotty, crappy service. Tonight, however (it is presidents day) was stellar. I mean, our waitress (I've never seen her before) timed everything perfectly and I never ran out of water.
I love it when that happens.
It's not cheap. On a good night, it's $100 a head. But, usually (besides the service) it's well worth it.
We came home happy campers tonight. I can't guarentee that you will feel the same every time, but it seems that it's looking up over there.
And the last time we were there Harry Belafonte was holding court.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (1)
LOVE LOVE LOVE it here!
The prices are on the high end, but the food is really worth it.
The decor is quite modern, but it isn't uncomfortable.
The food is really wonderful. Try the tuna prepared in 8 ways. The tempura is wonderfully crisp, light, and delicious - although they give you an aioli dipping sauce instead of the soy/rice wine mixture that they usually give you. The sushi is extremely fresh. Their miso soup is a little bit different, but yummy yummy!
The service is good. My boyfriend and I really love going here. The menu is more eclectic than Sushi of Gari on the east side, but it really works!
I went to Sushi of Gari yesterday because I happened to be on the UWS. It's my second time and again I was disappointed. I ordered chef's choice, sushi and sashami special. Not quite omakase and not quite my pick either, so I did expect something a little special. Chef did not pick anything particularly outstanding and was heavy handed with the sauces (yes I said sauces) on the sushi. I ordered foie gras, it came a little bit cold. The waiter was so so and the decor was boring. That said, when it comes to sushi/sashami I usually prefer good food over decor but in this case, it was ho hum for both. Don't get me wrong, Sushi of Gari isn't bad, it's just not that good, especially not that good when the bill came to over $200 for two people, three dishes total.
I wish I could upload the sound of delight I make when I think of Gari.
Where do I begin? You walk in and see a fairly sparse room and a beautiful sushi bar. The menu, don't even look at it. Just get the Omakase.
I have NEVER had sushi like this. The sweet baby shrimp, I almost fell out of my chair. I didn't want to swallow it for fear I would never taste anything as delicious.
The sea urchin, made me shiver in happiness.
Tuna, tuna tuna!!! I thought would be just like other tuna a good sushi places but Gari's tuna blows other tuna's out of the water (pun intended)
Save up for this place because it is expensive! I think it was $200 for two and we didn't have wine, just a beer or two.
It is so worth it. Every time I pass it and people are eating dinner, I want to press my face up to the glass and drool at the food inside.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Funny (4)
Cool (2)
I've never eaten anything like this, and it's a safe bet you haven't either. I can only imagine what my expression must have looked like as I ran through arpeggios of pleasure, surprise, delight, confusion, and more pleasure.
Sushi of Gari takes basic sushi as its jumping-off point and goes in any number of shocking, creative directions, drawing on other cuisines at will. It's like going to Starbucks and ordering a caramel frapuccino: it's not coffee, but it has coffee in it, and it tastes damn delicious. Gari isn't classic sushi, but it has sushi in it. And, oh lord, it is marvelous.
I had the salmon topped with seared tomato and I started wondering how on earth you get a tomato to taste like that. I think there was yellowtail with some sort of grassy tasting vegetable, which was excellent. Sweet baby shrimp, delicious and creamy and soft with pineapple flavor. I had a piece of tuna, with various delicious additions, placed on a piece of lettuce, which the chef told me (with the barest hint of a smile) was "tuna salad." I'd have cracked up if I weren't so busy making surprised-delighted faces. Foamed dressings, miso paste, deep-fried seaweed, scallions, and toro puree all make appearances, to your great gustatory benefit.
At these prices, you'll have to sell your firstborn. The omakase starts at $75 a person. We added three pieces each on to that baseline, and the check came to $180 for the two of us, plus tip, with no alcohol. But, damn, it's good .. you don't really need your firstborn THAT much, do you? No, I wasn't paying this time, but I'd consider eating ramen for a week to afford a return visit.
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Cool (2)
Wow, there are no words to explain the culinary creativeness and deliciousness of GARI... you just have to go and experience it yourself!
When i say creative, i dont mean putting spicy sauce on an california rolll.... and if thats the kinda sushi you roll with (no pun intendeded.... actually yes, it was intended) you are wasting your time here! And not only are their pieces creative, they use such HIGH QUALITY FISH! they don't try to cover up bad quality fish with creativity, but they enhance the deliciousness of the fish with creativity!
There are like an unlimited number of combinations that the sushi masters come up with and they make you think "who would've ever thought ____ and ____ would make my mouth orgasm?"
Its just delicious :-) i LOVED it! I love how they seared a lot of the pieces that they served. It just gave it such GREAT flavor!
People thought this was:
Useful (3)
Funny (1)
Cool (4)
Fresh, delicious, delicious. Sushi is so good. Go. Deposit paycheck first. Delicious.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (1)
Super creative...super delicious...super expensive.
Is it worth it? Probably not for the miniscule morsels they consider dishes...
You're getting quality fish though...and they make sure you pay for it.
The sushi here is of very good quality, but the real draw are the creative preparations. Many of these are off menu, but thankfully I got recommendations from a friend written down on a piece of paper before going. They are simply fabulous, but be ready to pay a hefty price for the creativity. If this place only served the sushi in standard preparations it would get slaughtered by reviewers over the price. The prices are very high for what you get, and what you are paying for is the creativity. I recommend keeping away from the more mundane stuff and asking the chefs for recommendations if you can't get any from friends or other reviewers in advance.
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Cool (1)
Sushi here is really good, but really overpriced. After I eat here, I end up either really hungry or with a huge bill.
Pros:
Sushi - unique/unusual/fusion. Some of my faves are the foie gras sushi and the baked oyster.
Service - Friendly, helpful, etc.
Cons:
Price - Very expensive. Not the best value.
Entrees - Normal, but not spectacular.
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Cool (1)
I was ambivalent about going to Gari after reading the mixed reviews. Some people loved it (5 stars), while others did not think it was worth the money (2-3 stars). A friend of mine who is a sushi aficionado in SF told me to check it out and I trusted his advice, FORTUNATELY I went and I loved Sushi Gari. I look forward to the next time I get to go back! Luckily our movie plans fell thru so we arrived early and got one of the tables for two in the front windows. Our waitress was incredible, she really helped with the omakase and ordering overall. The key to Sushi Gari is to tell the waiter/waitress what you like or do not like. Highlights were as follows:
#1 Sea eel, #2 yellowtail with jalapeno #3 cod #4 salmon with roasted #4 tomato #5 tuna with garlic. Anyone who wants original, high quality and memorable sushi should check out Gari!
Hands down BEST sushi I have EVER had. And I've done the whole LA thing...been to Sushi Roku, Koi, Katana, Matsuhisa, Blowfish, etc. and I have to say that this place BLOWS them all away. We had all sorts of unique creations in addition to the regular choices...the red snapper with grilled tomato on top particularly stood out. The Toro is to DIE for and the chefs are willing to whip up whatever. Great modernist interior, helpful staff...but be warned...it's swank. As in expensive. We had 6 people, 4 of whom actually ate and our bill was close to $500 (of course, we are big sake drinkers so i'm sure you could cut that cost down a tad!)
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Funny (1)
Cool (2)
Ok, so the sushi here isn't that bad. In fact it's pretty damn good, and better than most other places I've been. So why only 3 stars? Well, the sushi selection here ranges from Omakase for $55 to Omakase for $75, all the way to tuna-only Omakase for some other ungodly price. That's right, no choice and nothing even close to being reasonably priced. The dinner for 2 I had here came to about $200, and we had NO ALCOHOL. The decor, while interesting, is not very appealing in my opinion. The place looks like it's under construction or something, or they haven't quite finished putting it together and just left two thirds of the way through.
I've had a couple of people rave to me about this place but I'll still take Sennin @81st or Roppongi (which is only a couple blocks away) over Gari any day. In fact we ended up leaving here and walking over to Roppongi and having a couple of their special rolls, because the Omakase dish here will not fill you up, though it will certainly empty your wallet. Oh, and don't get the monkfish appetizer (I think it's catfood...kidding, but it sure does look and taste a lot like it).
Anyway, if you're the type of person that thinks that spending a lot of money on something makes it better then you'll love Gari Sushi, however if you like good sushi and don't like paying through the nose I recommend giving this place a pass.
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Cool (1)
Oooooooooooooh Sushi Gari - EEEEEEEE!!!!!!!! Heaven has reached Earth and it's on Columbus Avenue!!! But be forewarned, it comes at a price - our bill for three - almost 5 hundo!!! But if you want the ultimate sushi experience in creativity, taste, and freshness, you must try Gari. The room is minimalist, with large windows. You can order any thing you like, even if it's not on the menu and you'll be delighted at what turns up on your table.
Try the salmon sashimi with the broiled tomatoes. WOW. Fresh kumamoto oysters with caviar, snapper salad with mesclun and pine nuts. I am really just dreaming about it in my sleep. Not to mention the fatty toro that melts in your mouth.
I can go on and on, (the Rose is a beautiful accompaniment) but will say that this location is far better (less crammed) than the smaller east side outpost.
Go to Gari for the most amazing sushi culinary experience... I may even go so far as to say it may be better than Nobu!!?!??!?!
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Cool (1)
This place is awesome. All you have to do just seat at the sushi bar, tell the chef what you want, and they will serve you with high quality sushi. and they'll show u the new generation of sushi.
The fish they gave, is so delicate that you don't want to eat it ^_^
I will come back for sure
The prices are absurd but the right sushi here is not only tasty, but nearly addictive. I eat here way too much and I love it! The sushi omakase is awesome, especially if you tell them to keep it coming and remember your favorites. Then, when you go back, you can order a la carte, not cheaper but you only get stuff you like. Some of the best things there are:
Salmon with roasted tomato on top
Seared Cod (or seabass)
Red Snapper w/ Salad on top (roasted pine nuts, drop o' pesto)
Any type of toro (the seared fatty is good, but very rich, I like the medium toro w/ either daikon radish and scallions or the tofu cream on top)
The bbq chopped eel on avocado is hit or miss, sometimes amazing and sometimes not that great.
The rare cod intenstine one is really creamy - just like fois gras. They have fois gras sushi there, (roasted w/ balsamic vinegar foam and a slice of pear).
The cooked food is just fine, but not the point of Gari at all - don't waste your time or money on that part of the restaurant - just enjoy the SUSHI.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
People Who Viewed This Also Viewed...
Related Lists
-
Top Restaurants
Some of my favorite dining destinations in the… -
You're visiting NYC
You've decided to take a vacation and visit the… -
"Can I PLEASE get a…
NYC restaurants worth the strife to get a…
Hot and New
- Gramstand
31 reviews
Neighborhood: Manhattan/East Village
- Caracas Arepa Bar
136 reviews
Neighborhood: Manhattan/East Village
- Babbo Ristorante e Enoteca
187 reviews
Neighborhood: Manhattan/Greenwich Village
- Pommes Frites
393 reviews
Neighborhood: Manhattan/East Village
- Clinton St. Baking Company
149 reviews
Neighborhood: Manhattan/Lower East Side